The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is prioritising private investment, economic diversification and policy reforms in its next partnership strategy for Bangladesh as the country seeks to improve competitiveness and strengthen resilience.
ADB Vice-President for South, Central and West Asia Yingming Yang concluded a five-day visit to Bangladesh on Thursday after holding consultations on the bank’s next Country Partnership Strategy (CPS), reform priorities and the government-led Integrated Growth Network Development (IGND) initiative.
An ADB Dhaka office statement said on Thursday that Yang’s visit focused on advancing policy dialogue on reforms and investments while supporting the implementation of IGND, which aims to align reforms, investments and institutions to unlock regional opportunities, strengthen connectivity and productivity, and support Bangladesh’s long-term growth goals.
“Bangladesh is entering an important phase of its development journey, with a growing need to strengthen competitiveness, mobilise private investment and build resilience,” Yang said.
He said the discussions underscored the need to translate strategic commitments into sequenced reforms, bankable investments and effective implementation.
The government and ADB have identified an annual pipeline of more than $1 billion aligned with IGND and begun investment promotion discussions with private sector representatives, according to ADB.
Yang also discussed Bangladesh’s potential to emerge as a regional hub for transport, logistics, energy and digital connectivity through stronger regional cooperation and integration.
During a meeting with Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Yang discussed aligning the next CPS with Bangladesh’s medium-term reform and development framework, promoting private sector-led diversification and strengthening resilience against economic shocks.
The meeting also reviewed IGND implementation, including priority growth-node planning and project preparation. Banking-sector and capital-market development, renewable energy and private investment mobilisation were also discussed.
At an IGND dissemination seminar in Chattogram, Yang highlighted the initiative’s potential to connect growth centres, markets and regional and global value chains.
He said coordinated investments in infrastructure, logistics, energy, urban development and human capital could raise productivity, attract investment, create quality jobs and expand economic opportunities.
Yang also consulted government officials, development partners, private sector leaders and think tanks on ADB’s next CPS. The discussions focused on private sector-led diversification, resilience to domestic and external shocks, and the reforms, investments and implementation arrangements needed to achieve these priorities.
During the visit, Yang met Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman and Prime Minister’s Adviser for Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir.
The meetings covered banking and capital-market reforms, renewable energy, private sector participation, climate-resilient investment, digital transformation and Chattogram’s role as Bangladesh’s main maritime and economic gateway.
Yang also discussed co-financing, technical assistance and coordinated policy dialogue with bilateral and multilateral development partners. He highlighted IGND as a platform to align project pipelines and address financing and implementation gaps.
In meetings with private sector representatives and think tanks, he discussed reform priorities, investment barriers and opportunities to mobilise private capital under IGND. The feedback will help shape ADB’s next CPS and future operations in Bangladesh.
In Chattogram, Yang visited activities under ADB’s Skills for Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Programme, reviewing how industry-linked training can support employment, productivity and industrial competitiveness.
ADB Country Director for Bangladesh Qingfeng Zhang accompanied Yang during the visit.
Established in 1966, ADB is a multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. It is owned by 69 members, including 50 from the region.
